Demon

Ad blocker interference detected!

Wikia is a free-to-use site that makes money from advertising. We have a modified experience for viewers using ad blockers

Wikia is not accessible if you’ve made further modifications. Remove the custom ad blocker rule(s) and the page will load as expected.

"Looks good, doesn't it? They're trapped in here. Terrified. Meat for the beast, and there's nothing they can do but wait..... That's all they've been doing for days.... waiting to be picked off. Having nightmares about monsters that can't be killed. But I don't believe in that. I always find a way. I'm the thing that monsters have nightmares about. And right now...you and me are gonna show 'em why."

A Demon, also called a Hostile Sub-Terrestrial, was a type of supernatural lifeform native to various Hell dimensions separated from Earth and generally considered to be evil due to their lack of human souls and their destructive tendencies. The term was widely used to describe any creature that was not a god, robot, unmodified human, or standard terrestrial animal. Though individual powers varied between different demon species, most, if not all, demon species possessed greater strength, endurance, and natural abilities than humans.

Contents

History

The Old Ones are banished from the Earth.

The original and most powerful demons originated eons ago. They were godlike extradimensional beings called the Old Ones. The Old Ones lived on Earth during the Primordium Age after they were brought there from their home dimensions by the Seed of Wonder.

However, as time passed, new, mortal creatures began to appear on Earth and turn on and fight against the demons, and the Old Ones either retreated to other dimensions or interbred with humans, thus diminishing their powers through the generations. According to the Guardians, the last pure demon that walked the Earth during this period was killed by the Scythe.

By modern times, demonic creatures native to Earth were not full demons but had a percentage of human heritage due to their ancestors' crossbreeding, while full demons were native to other dimensions.

It's unknown what specifically constituted as a demon. Maggie Walsh, the Head Scientist of the Initiative, refereed to demons as a "class" ("demon-class, Polgara species"). It's unknown if by "class" she was referring to the specific rank in the taxonomic hierarchy.[1]Anya Jenkins - an ancient demon herself - also claimed Sluggoth demons belonged to the same phylum as regular worms.[2]

Demons came in a variety of shapes and forms with hundreds of known species of demon with diverse traits. Most demons were commonly bipedal or humanoid, very likely due to generations of interbreeding with humans, along with reptilian, mammalian and insectiod features such as such as claws, rough skin, horns and sharp teeth. Most demons (obviously barring the Old Ones) were sized roughly similar to or slightly larger than humans, though could be as big as the Haxil Beast[3] or even tiny like Gachnar.[4] Other demons shared an appearance closer to non-human animals such as the spiders from the Box of Gavrok,[5]Ghora demons,[6]Suvolte demons,[7]Sluks[8] and even more monstrous forms of existing animals like Lurconis, the Bug demons,[9]Grimslaw Demon,[10]Ragna Demon and Najakot Demon. Additionally, Kenny was a demon that resembled a Tyrannosaurus Rex.

Some demons even resembled plant life (auch as the Root monster).[11] Like animals, demonic species could go extinct, such as Illyria's minions, Sluggoths demons and Ragna demons. However, the last two were successfully recreated (using magic and selective breeding respectively).

Morality and behavior

By nature, the majority of demons were innately evil, merciless and unsympathetic towards humans, animals and even some other demons. The reason for this seemed to stem from the lack of a soul which provided a sense of feeling culpable to one's wrong doings, evident by the fact that when humans became vampires they lost the ability to feel any type of general remorse. Confusing the issue was that most demons kill as a natural survival instinct while others commit evil acts for their own recreational enjoyment, or religious/cultural reasons. Winifred Burkle even claimed that the act of a cockroach demon planting its offspring into the cranium of a Durslar Beast was "all fine and Darwinian".[9]

Like humans, some demons and even whole civilizations of demons could change their violent nature. Kamal was a violent demon who nonetheless became the protector of a woman who was fated to give birth to a savior.[13] A species living in Quor'toth became pacifists by observing the father-son love between Holtz and Connor. The Anharrans Demons were known for being blood-thirsty and archaic later became civilized and peaceful through Dawn Summers's influence. The Old OneIllyria also gained faith in humanity shortly before she sacrificed herself.

Being transformed into a demon could also result in one developing their tendencies and a loss in their humanity. When Giles was transformed into Fyarl demon, he shortly began to give in to the desire of killing people.[14]

Some Vengeance demons seemed to believe their acts of murder, torture and extreme unpleasantness were justified by the lesser crimes of humans. For example, Anyanka was a misandrist and did evil deeds based on the wrong-doings of males [15] while Halfrek focused on the neglect of children. They themselves preferred the term "Justice demons".[16] Though it should be noted that - in some cases - while Vengeance demons claimed to be acting on the behalf of the person they granted vengeance wishes for, the person who made the wish would sometimes end up falling victim to the wish itself. For example, Cordelia Chase made a wish that created an alternate reality where she ended up dying. Anyanka, who granted the wish, showed no remorse in that fact. Additionally, Halfrek was willing to leave Dawn Summers trapped inside her house after wishing that her friends and family wouldn't leave her, literally trapping them inside the house forever. It's likely that they weren't truly interested in making justice, but merely making excuses for the pain they caused.[16][17] Interestingly, Anya showed disapproval over the Trio for robbing a bank, believing she deserved to get compensated appropriately for a hard-days work of causing pain and mayhem (though, this is more of an individual personality trait).[18]

A demon's intelligence also varied among different species. A lot of demons such as Vampires, Vengeance Demons and various others possessed intelligence equal to humans while others like Hell Hounds (though, its Pylean counterpart appeared to be tamable),[19]Drokken Beasts and Werewolves during their lupine period were purely, mindlessly feral and could be manipulated as such.

Reproduction

Demons reproduced in diverse and complex ways. Some species, including vampires, Wraith-er Demons,[20] and Werewolves, reproduced by infecting humans and then inhabiting them and using their bodies. Others, such as Haxil Beasts[3] and Skilosh Demons,[21] infected humans in order to use their bodies to gestate their young. Some demon species reproduced via sexual intercourse. Some indeterminate number of these species, for instance Brachan and An-Movic Demons, were cross-fertile with humans. Some demon species reproduced via asexual methods, such as budding. Some other appeared to have been created or manufactured by some other entity (magic practitioner, Old One, Power), and do not reproduce on their own. Thaumogenesis would result in the accidental creation of a demon from a spell, often one of a great deal of power where the said demon acted as a way to balance the effects of the spell.[22][23]

Diet

The Judge needs to kill benevolent or hopeful lifeforms to sustain himself.

Most demons were carnivores, mostly preferring human flesh as the best food source. According to Giles, some demons fed on the flesh of the dead to absorb their souls.[24]

Some demons had diets tailored towards a specific substance, for example: vampires drank blood, Norman Pfister (in his maggot-form) devoured his victims completely within in a few minutes,[25]Hell Hounds feed on the brains of their victims,[15]Lei-Ach Demons were known to eat bone marrow,[26] the Wig Lady enjoyed eating humans who ate the Doublemeat Medley,[27]Sluks needed lots of water (particularly in human bodies),[8]Gnarl ate human skin,[28]Grimslaw Demons fed on human hearts,[10]Strom Demons sucked the organs out of their victims,[29] a small demon was seen eating human fingers as "finger food",[30]Tezcatcatl devoured the bloody heart of human heroes to obtain invincibility,[31]Ragna Demons captured and devoured their victims in a manner similar to actual spiders and various species were known to feed off human hearts.[32] According to Willy, he was able to generate business by selling his demonic patrons fried chicken fingers.[1]

Some demons practiced cooking considered illegal in the human world. Examples include eating venues belonging to Richard Straley[40] or Torg.[43] When preparing for a negotiation between fueding demon clans, Wolfram & Hart employed a caterer specialized in ethno-demonic cooking.[44]

Longetivity/Immortality — A large amount of demon were shown to live longer than humans, and some of them were actually immortal, living for thousands of year without aging. (vampires, Vengeance demons, Mok'tagar demon, Boone)

Society

Most demons possessing near human intelligence adapted to most of the fundamentals of modern human society, but still retain traditions and attitudes that would be considered tribalistic and archaic. They had an underworld status and took part in human pastimes such as playing poker,[54] though kittens were considered a delicacy, as well as currency, among demons.[57] However, human money was still valued by mainstream demons[58][59](an exception being an unidentified M'Fashnik demon who, despite belonging to a mercenary race, considered money to be nothing more than paper).[54] Also, pure innocence, especially that of a human child, carried a high deal of street value in hell dimensions.[51] According to Anya, massacres were treated as social events by demons, similar to parties in the human world where demons would require invitations and even use these events to form romantic/sexual relations with other demons.[43]

During a social occasion, Anya wore entrails as if wearing a dress.[43] She also claimed that burlap with blood larva was traditionally used as bridesmaids dresses in demonic wedding ceremonies where the grooms were forced to perform the rite of self-flagellation.[60]

Interactions between other Demons

A group of mixed race demons playing "kitty poker"

Despite the degree of modernization, a lot of demons still relied on tribalism. They preferred to stay in packs or clans consisting of members of their own species that practiced ancient rituals and traditions that often involved barbaric sacrifices to their respective deities. They often waged feuds with other clans, as seen with the Deathwok Clan and Sebassis' species[41] or the Viniji and Sahrvin clans,[44] along with bigoted views of humans and demon species closely related to them such as vampires, who were less socially tolerated and even rejected by others demons. For example, The Scourge considered them like the lowest of all the half-breeds,[61] while the Ano-Movic Clan ,[40]Vyasa[62] and the Hellions[63] were either offended or bothered to associate with them. Additionally, the Scooby gang found it odd that a vampire and a demon of a totally different species were fighting alongside each other. Rupert Giles himself claimed that, as rule, demons lacked empathy towards other demon species and even viewed vampires as abominations.[59]
Even though they tended to abandon ancient demonic values and still enjoyed a naturally malevolent status, they did follow some loose rules when socializing with other demons as Spike was briefly rejected by his demon brethren for killing other demons after receiving his chip.[64]

The Ano-Movic Clan moderated their cult to live in the human society, tolerating even human beings in their family. However, they were still keen on continuing their culture's tradition of eating the brains of their bride-to-be's ex-husband (though only with his permission, which was given in the form him proving his blessing to the new union).[40]
Certain demons were somewhat progressive, rejecting the ideas enforced by their species which they considered archaic and preferred to live among humans with whom they admired the freedom to make their own pursuits like Kathy Newman,[67]Jhiera and the females of her species,[45]Carlos,[73] or Lorne.[19]
However, it's not always the case. Rieff complained that his only contact with the human world was during Halloween.[61]
In the case of Nash and Pearl, they considered themselves an evolved form of demons and felt superiors to humanity and others demons alike.

Interactions with Humans

Mainstream demons tended to mix with demons of other species as well as tolerate some humans who could accommodate needs such as food from demon friendly bars, treatment from Korean bathhouses[74] and legal support from Wolfram & Hart. One the other hand, it was demons that serviced humans through their own special demonic talents such as Lorne's physic abilities, demon brothels which fueled certain men's fantasies[11][75] and the demon Jenoff who granted humans their wish in exchange for their soul[76]

A demon-run Casino

Some demons offered power and wealth in exchange for live, human sacrifices.[33][34][35] However, certain demons like Skyler had replaced these old values by cash money.[58]

The predominately demon biker gang, the Hellions, seemed to have possessed some human members, despite rejecting vampires due to their inability to remain in the sun.[77]

Demons also seemed to have rather different views on beauty since the loose-skinned demon Clem found Buffy ugly because "her skin's so tight I don't know how you [Spike] look at her", Torg rejected Anya's offer of sex because he found her human appearance as unattractive despite once having a fling with her during her demon days[43] and the inhabitants of Pylea found the half-demon Groosalugg's appearance to be monstrous and considered his human features as "defects" despite the Groosalugg being a physically attractive male by human standards,[78] however, some demons have been shown to be attracted to or have relationships with humans.[79][80][45][81][76] the demonic prostitute Lina who was willing to service the vampire Angel so long as he didn't change into his vampire face.[75] The demonic princess Jhiera also demonstrated an attraction toward Angel[45]

The Slayer posed a sense of fear among demons, especially vampires. Demons would use the Slayer as a Boogeyman figure to scare their children into behaving.[82] When Buffy led a group of powerless Potential Slayers into a demon bar for training, she claimed her presence was the only thing preventing the demons from attacking them.[83]
Ironically, some demons considered the human beings as monsters to them. When Halloween was celebrated in the premises of Wolfram & Hart, the demon Devlin dressed himself as a human being (using real human skin to that effect), aping them excessively to the point it irritated the human-loving Lorne.[41]

Technology

"Demons cling to old ways and ancient feuds, but are hopeless with technology."

When it came to modern technology, the majority of demons remained inept with most advances that humans possessed. Though some demons, mainly vampires, made use of human inventions such as newspapers,[84] televisions[85][83] and electricity; though made very little use of modern weaponry and were usually limited to basic hand-to-hand combat and medieval weapons such as swords and axes. Additionally, it was unusual for a demon to use bladed tools for disembowelment as they already had teeth and claws powerful enough to do the job.[32]

Rupert Giles explained this as the tendency for people to "rationalize what they can and forget what they can't."[90]Aimee Mann, a guest singer at The Bronze, remarked that she hated playing in "vampire towns."[91]
To those who did know, demonic culture and mythology was the subject of scholarly research with ancient books and texts documenting their history. Having had knowledge of his real nature, Harriet, the ex-wife of Doyle became ethnodemonologist and had even become engaged to a demon.[40] A website titled "Demons, Demons, Demons" also contained accurate information on demons.[65]
The Sunnydale High School board and the police department also appeared to be aware of the supernatural goings-on in Sunnydale, as the police often covered up vampire and demon attacks under orders from Richard Wilkins. When Spike and members of the Order of Aurelius attacked Sunnydale High to kill Buffy Summers, Principal Snyder and the police chief wrote it off to the public as an attack by a gang on PCP, an excuse that has apparently been used before.[92]
In Los Angeles, it seems common that businessmen without scruples, gangsters or criminals, without counting the lawyers of Wolfram & Hart, are associated with demons in more or less doubtful business.[74]
All the people present in Los Angeles when it was moved to a hell dimension by the Senior Partners of Wolfram & Hart in 2004 became aware of demons.
In the early 21st century, the existence of vampires, and demons by extension, became public knowledge and vampires instantly became the subject of a fad, capitalizing on the fact that many humans experience a thrill when bitten by vampires. Harmony Kendall became the face of vampires in the media, starring in a reality show called Harmony Bites. Since, all humans are aware of demons' existence on Earth. It was seen after the end of magic that demons were employed for various jobs like one, used by UC Sunnydale staff like debt collector to collect Buffy's student loan. In London, Parker and Tricia were racketed by an human associate with two demons.

Views of Demons

Humanity's views of demons, like their views of one another, vary considerably depending on individuals:

Though the Scooby Gang and the Angel Investigations team were dedicated to destroying demons, they only sought to destroy those they saw as evil. Both teams employed the services of demons on several occasions and many key members of both groups had been demons. In fact, the demon members of Angel Investigations often outnumbered the humans. Both also argued that werewolves should not be held accountable for their actions in bestial form as long as they found ways of restraining themselves. Regardless, both sides were perfectly willing and able to kill demons for committing bad deeds; for example, when Anya granted a wish that resulted in the deaths of several fraternity boys, Buffy immediately decided that she had to kill Anya for it despite having peacefully talked Dark Willow down after she did the same thing, justifying her actions by stating that Willow was human and Anya wasn't, and that as the Slayer, her decisions and judgement were absolute.[55]

Gib Cain hunted werewolves for their skin, uncaring that they were humans outside of the full moon.[93]

The Watchers Council refused to help Buffy Summers cure Angel of the Killer of the Dead poison on the grounds that he was a vampire, which resulted in her severing ties with the Council for over a year.[94]

On multiple occasions, the U.S. government and its different groups showed a desire to study supernatural beings and find a way to use their power for military purposes, the most prominent examples being the Initiative and the Demon Research Initiative, its World War II-era predecessor.[95][96]

One of the strains on the relationship between Buffy and Riley Finn was that he automatically assumed that all supernatural creatures were evil, harshly criticizing the Scoobies when he discovered that they had been harboring Spike,[64] though he realized that demons were capable of both good and evil just as humans were when he helped save a werewolf, Oz, from the Initiative, especially after he witnessed his superiors' inhumane treatment of Oz while he was in human form.[97]

Madame Dorion[75] and Madame Anita[11] held brothels where the prostitutes are demons.

Mr. Maclay deceived both his late wife and his daughter Tara into believing that they were demons, allowing him greater control over them.[26]

M. James Menlo was considered a human criminal by the police. Because he was a specialist in explosives, it is possible that the authorities perceived him as a deformed human being.[62]

Gio, a rogue member of Gunn's Crew, led them on a fanatical crusade to destroy demons all over Los Angeles, regardless of their moral alignment.[38]

Anthony Harris' bigoted attitude toward Anya's demonic guests incited a riot between the two families. However, he was not aware of what they were really, considering them circus artists or a certain religious confession. It is plausible to say that he was simply reactionary by nature to all which is different from his own point of view.[81]

List of Demons

Gallery

See also

Notes

In "Where the Wild Things Are", Giles specifically states that demons do not mix with members of other species as a rule. While true to an extent, this is contradicted by the many episodes where demons of different species are shown socializing peacefully (for example, "Life Serial" and "Double or Nothing"). It could be that, despite his large knowledge of demons, he may have not encountered demonic facilities like demon bars first hand, and that the Watcher's Council is perhaps misinformed about their interpretation of demonic society.

Demons had a tendency to use the term 'clan' to refer to their own species as a whole. This could be seen with the Miquot Clan, the Ano-Movic Clan, the Lister Clan, the Tothric Clan, the Deathwok Clan, the Vinji Clan, the Sahrvin Clan, the Grox'lar Clan and the Goran Clan. It's likely that most demon species would only consist of a small population each due to their long lifespans, exclusiveness to other demon species and their predatory nature in general, requiring them to remain in small numbers which may explain the use of the word 'clan'.

It's odd that the demons of Pylea characterize the Groosalugg's muscled arms as defects when demonic champions like Landok also possess a muscular physique. It's possible that due to demon's naturally possessing superhuman strength, it's only a rare occurrence in Pylea that a demon's muscles may develop as demons may generally not require extensive training to know how to fight or hunt.

In "Doublemeat Palace", Spike claims that demons like fluorescent lights because it makes their skins twitch.